WITH its €9 billion
(R147bn) investment
plan, MSC has major
plans for international growth,
in which the South African
market will play its part.
Gianni Onorato, ceo of
MSC Cruises, says the cruise
company has progressively
upgraded its presence in
South Africa, adding that
MSC has recently seen an
acceleration in uptake of its
product. He attributes this
in part to a high level of
customer satisfaction and
also to the fact that many
South Africans who have
experienced a domestic
cruise have now taken an
interest in experiencing more
international options.
The Mediterranean, Dubai
and northern Europe are all
very appealing to travellers
who have been on domestic
cruises, says Gianni, adding
that the company’s investment
in new ships for its Portuguese
Island cruises also provide
travellers with a different
experience of the itinerary.
MSC’s investment in new
product has been significant.
The cruise line recently
announced an order for
four new “giant ships”,
which will form part of its
new World Class series of
ships. The ships are able to
accommodate at least
5 400 passengers at double
occupancy and MSC says they
will rival the biggest at sea.
Gianni says these vessels
will also be highly advanced
in terms of their on-board
technology.
The size of the ships will
allow the company to offer
more amenities, restaurants
and entertainment and
provides the operator with
more efficiencies, says Ken
Muskat, executive vp of Sales,
Public Relations, and Guest
Services at MSC Cruises USA.
He says the company isn’t
worried about ports being able
to accommodate the massive
ships, which will start being
delivered in 2022.
“There are more places in
the Caribbean and in Europe
that are expanding and
changing their infrastructure to
be able to handle these kinds
of ships,” Ken says. “By the
time these ships come out, I
think there’s going to be fewer
limitations and a lot more
places for them to go globally.”
Plans for the trade
As part of its discussion about
how to “give more to travel
agents”, MSC is considering
tying up its international and
domestic sales in terms of its
rewards system.
Gianni says a new breed of
customer is emerging who
requires more answers when
it comes to cruising. As such,
he says agents need more
training than ever and MSC is
therefore making its training
material increasingly available
and hosting more road shows
to ensure they have access to
the information they need.
